Parents resist chemotherapy for son.

[imabrat]

THIS INFURIATES ME! I can NOT BELIEVE the ignorance and stupidity of these parents and their son.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090519/ap_on_re_us/us_forced_chemo

Daniel, 13, was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma, attended one chemotherapy treatment, then quit to use "alternative medicine", aka herbs, water, etc.
They got taken to court, and the judge said depending on the result's of today's scans, he would be able to continue alternative medicine.
Well, the tumor is growing. The mother now has an arrest warrant out for her. They believe their son is a "medicine man" and can "heal himself".

What I wrote isn't that well put together, I know, but I am INFURIATED.

 

[Shelton123]

My GF tried to do that and I'm like HELL NO you won't! And so did her parents, she gave in. Now she's still alive and the cancer's almost gone but that's OT. Heal himself? Jeez. No one can do that. I can't believe the boy can't read. He probably has a developmental delay, but... it can't be that bad to where he's 13 and can't read? Maybe they thought he could cure himself of that too...

 

[HSMndLKfan92]

Sometimes what people want isn't right. You have to respect that.
I know, I'm talking you guys, who've been blessed by the wonders of what chemotherapy has done for you. I'm not big on the idea of their decision either. But, if that's what they really want, we can only hope he doesn't suffer too greatly.

 

[Addicted.to.Speed]

Whats wrong with wanting to heal their son using organic materials???

 

[imabrat]

Sometimes what people want isn't right. You have to respect that.
I know, I'm talking you guys, who've been blessed by the wonders of what chemotherapy has done for you. I'm not big on the idea of their decision either. But, if that's what they really want, we can only hope he doesn't suffer too greatly.

I know, but it just infuriates me how they can blatantly ignore that. I've got a bone to pick with the child too - he doesn't even want to acknowledge that he's sick. I've been that kid, at some point you need to grow up and realize that you are sick. However you treat it is your choice, but you're still sick.

Whats wrong with wanting to heal their son using organic materials???

Organic materials do not work to treat cancer solely. A combination of organic materials (IE herbs, certain foods, etc) in combination with chemotherapy will treat cancer. The point is that the son will not heal - he's been "healing" with the alternative medicine and his tumor grew.

 

[HSMndLKfan92]

I know, but it just infuriates me how they can blatantly ignore that. I've got a bone to pick with the child too - he doesn't even want to acknowledge that he's sick. I've been that kid, at some point you need to grow up and realize that you are sick. However you treat it is your choice, but you're still sick.

Realizing that you're sick is a hard thing to do. I haven't had cancer, but I'd been in denial with my recent health issues. Admitting that you're sick, watever it is, is a really difficult thing to do. Espeically when you're 13.

this story is just so sad.

 

[saratogadreamin09]

I would never do that, but there are people in the world that would, its just they way and you have to respect that.

 

[chisnpeke]

I think I read an article in People magazine about a 17 year old whose parents were refusing chemo for him too.

These people are like the crazy religious people who refuse medical treatment and use snakes and stuff as part of thei "healing."

 

[Addicted.to.Speed]

Organic materials do not work to treat cancer solely. A combination of organic materials (IE herbs, certain foods, etc) in combination with chemotherapy will treat cancer. The point is that the son will not heal - he's been "healing" with the alternative medicine and his tumor grew.

They are probably religious and believe that their "God" will heal their son if he is indeed sopposed to live, cant be mad at them for that

 

[BabyPiglet]

Well, it's their choice. I didn't read the article as my computer is being stupid and not opening pop-ups for me right now, so I just read your summary.

Ultimately, it is the parents' choice. I don't agree with it, but I'm not in their shoes. We have no idea what lead them to this decision.

 

[Crazee Diser]

Some people are so stupid.

 

[pigletgirl]

It's unfortunate that they aren't wanting to comply with the doctor and medical community, but in the end it is the patient and family's decision about how they want to treat the disease.

Do I think what they have chosen is stupid? YES!! But it is their choice in the end. Lots of people don't comply and they are deamed AMA (against medical advice).

 

[imabrat]

The mother and son fled. Ran away. Even the father doesn't know where they went or why the went - he was quoted as saying he wanted the chemo "if it was necessary", which it was deemed when the tumor was revealed to be growing back.


I get if it was the parent, but not your child.

 

[notokay]

They are probably religious and believe that their "God" will heal their son if he is indeed sopposed to live, cant be mad at them for that

One less stupid fundie in the world, amirite?

Well, it's their choice. I didn't read the article as my computer is being stupid and not opening pop-ups for me right now, so I just read your summary.

Ultimately, it is the parents' choice. I don't agree with it, but I'm not in their shoes. We have no idea what lead them to this decision.

Hm.. If my parents were to tell my I couldn't have chemo, but I wanted it, you're saying they can decide to not let me have it? I think not.


But really, I think this kid has been brainwashed by his mother/father. If they ever find him and his mom (you said they fled), he needs to be taken into protective custody.

 

[DisGirlAllie]

This situation infuriates and saddens me.

But, while I was reading the article I was distinctly reminded of the Onion YouTube video where 'Brave Man Refuses to Accept Cancer'

 

[BabyPiglet]

One less stupid fundie in the world, amirite?



Hm.. If my parents were to tell my I couldn't have chemo, but I wanted it, you're saying they can decide to not let me have it? I think not.


But really, I think this kid has been brainwashed by his mother/father. If they ever find him and his mom (you said they fled), he needs to be taken into protective custody.

Yes, they can. I guess if you were in that situation you could call child protective services, that might help. But if you were still 13, your parents still have the decision making regarding your healthcare.

 

[notokay]

Yes, they can. I guess if you were in that situation you could call child protective services, that might help. But if you were still 13, your parents still have the decision making regarding your healthcare.

In a life/death situation, I do not agree with you. A parent is required to provide their child with the proper treatment. Herbs do not treat cancer, chemo does. It's child abuse. It's like a parent deciding not to feed their baby. The baby will die if it doesn't eat, and they aren't allowed to do that. They are sentencing their son to certain death.

 

[imabrat]

Hm.. If my parents were to tell my I couldn't have chemo, but I wanted it, you're saying they can decide to not let me have it? I think not.


If they ever find him and his mom (you said they fled), he needs to be taken into protective custody.

Yes, because you are a minor. Your parents have full right over your medical care until you turn 18. This isn't how it works - it's law over ethics.

And, why do you think the mother and son ran away? He was legally ordered into foster care so he could get adequate treatment.

Yes, they can. I guess if you were in that situation you could call child protective services, that might help. But if you were still 13, your parents still have the decision making regarding your healthcare.

In a life/death situation, I do not agree with you. A parent is required to provide their child with the proper treatment. Herbs do not treat cancer, chemo does. It's child abuse. It's like a parent deciding not to feed their baby. The baby will die if it doesn't eat, and they aren't allowed to do that. They are sentencing their son to certain death.

1st, unfortunately you have no right because you are not legal yet, you are only a minor.
2nd, a parent is not "required" to do anything. Is it ideal for a parent to feed their child? Yes. If the parent chooses not to feed the child, that's their choice - but that child will be taken into foster care and the parent will be charged with neglect.

 

[notokay]

Yes, because you are a minor. Your parents have full right over your medical care until you turn 18. This isn't how it works - it's law over ethics.

And, why do you think the mother and son ran away? He was legally ordered into foster care so he could get adequate treatment.







1st, unfortunately you have no right because you are not legal yet, you are only a minor.
2nd, a parent is not "required" to do anything. Is it ideal for a parent to feed their child? Yes. If the parent chooses not to feed the child, that's their choice - but that child will be taken into foster care and the parent will be charged with neglect.

That's what I mean. By law, they are required to care for their child. If they don't, they'll be charged with child abuse/neglect. You're just not allowed to do it.

And this kid WILL die if he doesn't get chemo. 100%. If he gets chemo, he has a 90% chance of living. That is CHILD ABUSE to not let your son get chemo. I thought I read somewhere that the judge ruled that he had to get it, but maybe that was a different weirdo kid not wanting chemo.

 

[imabrat]

The judge DID rule that he needed the chemo, it was proven with diagnostic tests that his tumor had grown instead of shrunk while he was on the holistic remedies.